Leaving Certificate Results 2010
Irish Second-Level Students’ UnionPRESS STATEMENT *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
Leaving Certificate Results 2010 17/08/‘10
Thousands of young people across the country are anxiously awaiting the release of this year’s Leaving Cert results tomorrow. However, it would be interesting to see how these students would fare in comparison to their results from June if they were to sit the same or similar exam papers again tomorrow with no further revision. It cannot be denied that the current Irish second-level examinations system encourages rote-learning to such an extent that it is detrimental to our students, affecting their ability to adapt at third-level and therefore, it is difficult not to question the knowledge retention of our students in thinking that the majority of students would fare less favourably if they were to sit the exams again beginning tomorrow, a mere two months on from the initial sitting of the exams.The ISSU once again calls on the Minister for Education and Skills to reconsider the review of the Leaving Certificate which was shelved earlier in the year due to its estimated cost of €100 million. The preliminary findings of the ESRI/NCCA Post-Primary Longitudinal Study further highlight that the current system is too burdensome on our young people causing high levels of stress; it is clear that a system which places a greater emphasis on continuous assessment would be more favourable in this regard and for a variety of other reasons. We need to encourage more creative and dynamic learning at second-level, the ability to rote-learn a paragraph isn’t a fundamental life-skill.The current Leaving Certificate doesn’t adequately prepare students for third-level or life outside of education so although the initial cost of an overhaul may seem high, the eventual benefits to our students and to the ‘knowledge-economy’ that the government so often states that it strives for will far out-weigh the initial cost. The ISSU would like to wish all those receiving their results tomorrow, the very best of luck and urges students not to panic and to make good use of the various exam help lines and other sources of advice and information available to them.__ENDS__Notes to Editor:ISSU is the national umbrella body for school Student Councils, aiming to represent and connect Irish second-level students the length and breadth of the country, ensuring that the voice of the Irish second-level student is heard and striving for innovation and democracy within the education system. ISSU is a not-for profit student rights organisation.At ISSU we believe that young people are not merely citizens in waiting - we deserve better, we deserve to be heard. We can and will contribute positively to society. It is so important that our voices, views and opinions are (i) heard (ii) listened to (iii) and most importantly respected. This is what ISSU is all about. We’re here for you.Our main aims include:
- To provide training and development of second-level school Student Councils, in conjunction with relevant bodies.
- To develop policies on issues affecting Irish second-level students and bring the needs and rights of students to the attention of the relevant authorities.
- To provide a transparent, democratic and reliable organisation.
- To work in collaboration with other educational institutions and bodies both in Ireland and Europe.
- To work closely with educational curriculum policy makers and teachers’ unions to continually develop a transparent, fair and modern education system.
- And most importantly, to give students a structured platform through which the voice of the Irish second-level student will be heard.
ISSU represents students at a national level and is affiliated to; the WHEEL, NYCI, Anna Lindh Foundation, Stand up for Education Alliance,Children’s Mental Health Coalition and the Children’s Rights Alliance. On an international level, ISSU works closely with OBESSU. ISSU also works with curriculum development teams and various advisory bodies.
Celebrating Student Voice
Today, August 12th is ISSU's annual celebration of Student Voice. ISSU in it's current form was founded in Dublin on August 12th 2008. On this day we would like to thank all those who have supported, encouraged and guided us on this journey. We've got some exciting and innovative projects planned for the upcoming year so watch this space.....To continued ISSU success in 2010.......
Help is just a phone call away
ISSU recommends the exam advice helpline courtesy of National Parents Council in association with the Irish Independent, the Institute of Guidance Councillors, Eircom and supported by the Dept. of Education & Skills.The Leaving Certificate Results for 2010 will be released on Wednesday 18th August. The Helpline will be in operation at 8am on Wednesday 18th of August
Helpline Phone Number: 1800 265 165
Wednesday (18th) Thursday (19th) 8am – 6pmMonday (23rd) & Tuesday (24th) 8am - 6pm
Finally…. some signs of democracy and transparency
Irish Second-Level Students’ Union PRESS STATEMENT *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
Finally…. some signs of democracy and transparency
It seems that the wheels may be slowly grinding towards a modern education evolution. Today (Thursday), the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU) has welcomed the Minister for Education & Skills decision to develop a new framework in the selection of patronage for second-level schools. Much progress has been made over the past 20 years in the primary-sector, allowing parents and students to choose a school which meets their needs, however it is regrettable and disappointing that as of yet in 2010 these trends don’t translate to second-level education.This framework for a transparent process which includes clear criteria for school selection is long overdue. The world we live in is changing, but sometimes our education system stays stuck in the past. Schooling is local – let’s keep it that way. With this new framework parents and students will have a greater input into deciding what school best suits their needs. With this in mind, we call on Minister Coughlan to ensure that a position for ISSU would be made available on the new proposed advisory panel to ensure that students are represented as experts. Although, what appears to be additional red tape – certain levels of bureaucracy are unfortunately needed in this country to influence change and get things done. This framework needs to be put in place within weeks to ensure there are no further delays in the selection of second-level school patronage, and indeed it should not be used as a tool to put off decision-making and delay the desired positive change. A diverse education system is what Ireland needs for 21st century learning, and ultimately for the internationally applauded ‘smart economy’. Students deserve better – we deserve choice.__ENDS__Notes to Editor:ISSU is the national umbrella body for school Student Councils, aiming to represent and connect Irish second-level students the length and breadth of the country, ensuring that the voice of the Irish second-level student is heard and striving for innovation and democracy within the education system. ISSU is a not-for profit student rights organisation.At ISSU we believe that young people are not merely citizens in waiting - we deserve better, we deserve to be heard. We can and will contribute positively to society. It is so important that our voices, views and opinions are (i) heard (ii) listened to (iii) and most importantly respected. This is what ISSU is all about. We’re here for you.Our main aims include:
- To provide training and development of second-level school Student Councils, in conjunction with relevant bodies.
- To develop policies on issues affecting Irish second-level students and bring the needs and rights of students to the attention of the relevant authorities.
- To provide a transparent, democratic and reliable organisation.
- To work in collaboration with other educational institutions and bodies both in Ireland and Europe.
- To work closely with educational curriculum policy makers and teachers’ unions to continually develop a transparent, fair and modern education system.
- And most importantly, to give students a structured platform through which the voice of the Irish second-level student will be heard.
ISSU represents students at a national level and is affiliated to; the WHEEL, NYCI, Anna Lindh Foundation, Stand up for Education Alliance, Children’s Mental Health Coalition and the Children’s Rights Alliance. On an international level, ISSU works closely with OBESSU. ISSU also works with curriculum development teams and various advisory bodies. Contact:www.issu.ie, email communications@issu.ie or call 01 443 4461.
As we say, “curtains” to another year of second-level State Examinations
Irish Second-Level Students’ UnionPRESS STATEMENT
As we say, “curtains” to another year of second-level State Examinations
As 5pm today (Friday) approached, the curtain fell on the last State Exam of 2010. It’s been an interesting year for the exams, blunders and mistakes have to be the distinctive theme for 2010. As well that, media focus on state examination grade inflation and claims that the system is being “dumbed down” in recent times seems to have caused the State Examinations Commission to use the 2010 state examinations as a trump card to dispel these rumours. Barely a trace of the usual predictability was to be seen on this year’s papers with the absence of predicted topics breaking what were decade-long patterns in some cases. While the ISSU firmly believes that a state examination system that is not based on predictability and rote-learning should exist, it was not fair on the students of 2010 to suddenly break away from age-old patterns that students that have gone before them have reaped the benefits of on many a results day. However, the real question is whether the State Examinations Commission, safe in the knowledge that it has dismissed any notions of predictability with this year’s papers, will resort back to patterns and predictable ways in the future?It seems that now more than ever – a complete revamp of the whole examination system is needed. To perform at your optimum ability for 300 minutes so as to be examined on two years of work is unrealistic, unfair and stressful. It appears that the greatest irony of the Leaving Certificate is that you complain about it whilst doing it (when you’re young) – but once finished, it’s a distant nightmare and you make best attempts to suppress the memories of those sunny exam days. Surely there is a better way?The ISSU urges the Department of Education and Skills to act on the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment’s recommendations for Junior Cycle review as soon as they are made available. The ISSU also calls on the Minister for Education and Skills to reconsider the review of the Leaving Certificate which was recently shelved due to its estimated cost of €100 million. This year has highlighted, yet again, the need for a more adaptive and student friendly form of final examination. The LC has its benefits but does it prepare you for life? Hardly! Does it prepare you for further education? The answer is no.__ENDS__Notes to Editor:ISSU is the national umbrella body for school Student Councils, aiming to represent and connect Irish second-level students the length and breadth of the country, ensuring that the voice of the Irish second-level student is heard and striving for innovation and democracy within the education system. ISSU is a not-for profit student rights organisation.At ISSU we believe that young people are not merely citizens in waiting - we deserve better, we deserve to be heard. We can and will contribute positively to society. It is so important that our voices, views and opinions are (i) heard (ii) listened to (iii) and most importantly respected. This is what ISSU is all about. We’re here for you.Our main aims include:
- To provide training and development of second-level school Student Councils, in conjunction with relevant bodies.
- To develop policies on issues affecting Irish second-level students and bring the needs and rights of students to the attention of the relevant authorities.
- To provide a transparent, democratic and reliable organisation.
- To work in collaboration with other educational institutions and bodies both in Ireland and Europe.
- To work closely with educational curriculum policy makers and teachers’ unions to continually develop a transparent, fair and modern education system.
- And most importantly, to give students a structured platform through which the voice of the Irish second-level student will be heard.
ISSU represents students at a national level and is affiliated to; Anna Lindh Foundation, Children’s Mental Health Coalition, Children’s Rights Alliance, NYCI, Stand up for Education Alliance, and the WHEEL. On an international level, ISSU works closely with OBESSU. ISSU also works with curriculum development teams and various advisory bodies. Contact:www.issu.ie, email communications@issu.ie or call 01 443 4461.
LC Music
Owen (Higher Level)
Well, well I'm finally free and about time... wooooo!!After having a whole week to 'compose' myself and prepare for music, I was already feeling like I was on my summer holidays so it honestly didn't feel like I still had an exam left at all!However, this morning was a different matter, the nerves were flowing and the adrenaline was rushing but maybe it was just the excitement of finally being finished!!Got into the exam hall pretty early to run over some last minute stuff and get ready!Exam starts and the first question, the one worth the most marks, was the horrid Sea Changes by Raymond Dean... the first time EVER it had come up in question 1 and this was completely unexpected....none the less we managed to fight through it!Question 2 was Berlioz and there was nothing too unexpected here and the same with Mozart who featured in question 4 and finally the Beatles’ “She's leaving home” appeared in question 4!Irish music was very much approachable and we all found ourselves jigging away and bobbin’ our heads so it turned out to be a very enjoyable question...and lucky for me my chosen essay on Sean-nós singing even came up! :DThe aural skills didn't prove to be too difficult either and it was nice to hear a bit of Tom Jones! :DOur composition paper was also very nice as well, thankfully all the minor and tough stuff was avoidable and everything else was very manageable! :DAnd that's it!! I'M FREE!!! NO MORE EXAMS!! :DNow it’s time to put into use what we really learned in school...the function of the liver and some real 'music'!! :D Bring on the summer of 2010!!Thanks and best of luck!Owen